We are developing novel materials with engineered microstructure topology at nanoscale to enhance their functional properties and to create new functionalities. These materials include nanograin ceramics and nanocomposites with the preserved core-shell microstructure topology at nanoscale in a solid. To produce these materials, we are developing novel sintering approaches -  Environmentally-Controlled Pressure-Assisted Sintering (EC-PAS), allowing fabrication of fully dense solids with the preserved nanoscale microstructure made from nanoparticle (NP) and core-shell NP building blocks. We demonstrated that solids synthesized in this manner possess unique combinations of functional properties that exceed those of their microcrystalline counterparts.

 Functional properties of solid monolithic materials are controlled by retaining nanoscale size of NPs and designed core-shell NP microstructure topology throughout all processing steps and sintering. The core/shell microstructure topology in the sintered nanocomposite solid along with formation of a vast network of interfacial regions (grain boundaries) related to the core-shell NP design, result in enhanced properties and new functionalities.

Additional Benefits

Awardees who reside more than 50 miles from their host laboratory and remain on tenure for at least six months are eligible for paid relocation to within the vicinity of their host laboratory.

A group health insurance program is available to awardees and their qualifying dependents in the United States.